San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-05-13
THE OUTLOOK FOR TEXAS.
Dr. e. a. Sabln Gives the Light Reporter
Some Important Pointers on
the Situation

Some Important Pointers on
the Situation.
DIR. T.. II. Sabin, land and travelling
agent for the Texas Pacific railroad with
headquarters at Cincinnati, is In the city
and the LIGHT reporter, knowing he
had made an extensive tour over the
state, with careful enquiries sought him
last evening. The genial doctor was
found ut the Menger hotel, and then the
following conversation ensued:
Reporter-Dr. Ssbin, | understand
that you have made an extensive tour
over Texas, aud 1 should be obliged If
you would give me your views OF the
| situation and OF the general outlook for
the benefit OF the many readers OF the
LIGHT.
Dr. Ssbin-Certainly After careful!
investigation | regard the outlook as
most encouraging. The recent drouths
have been extensively advertised both
by our friends and foes-by friends who
sought aid from the public to relieve
the distress occasioBed by IL. and
by foes who thought to avail
themselves Of the drouth to raise
prejudice against Texas and to direct
attention to other points in which they
are interested. The latter seems to for
get the fact that the drouth In some
parts OF Kansas, Dakota, Iowa, portions
OF Illinois, and indeed other older
states, has been equally severe. The
impression that new corners were not
welcome. has been so successfully COM
batted that all now understand that the
right-minded and right-scting are well
comed In Texas. The recent rains have
been general, giving encouragement to
residents and removing objection OF
some who contemplated q change Of
home.
Reporter-What are your ideas OF the
agricultural capabilities OF Texas?
DIR. Sabin-A large part OF the state is
equal, sgriculturally. 10 any OF the older
| states. There Is a district OF country
from Denison TO San Antonio that Is
unexcelled and suited for all kinds
OF farming and the methods OF the older
| states. In the Western parts, farming
as praotieed in the older states. will not
be successful. 1 regard Western Texas
as having the best all-the-year-rOund
climate in the world. Its high altitude
raises II more above malarial influences
than any other country 1 know OF. Ii
furnishes, rs nearly as possible, the acme
OF primitive peTfection-mOre than any
other locality In America. The methods
Of farming there should be adjusted to
the climate and the needs OF the people.
AS winter feeding of stock Is not necss-
sary, as In more severe climates, there is
not that necessity for raising everything
that Is raised in the older and more
northern states. The acreage OF lands
In cultivation increases every year and
the results are most encouraging. The
drouth Of last year and part OF this has
made crucial test for those
proposing to be agriculturist Of the sec
ton. The grasses of Western Texas are
OF large variety. The mesquite grass is
the best summer and fall grass In the
world, and will mature cattle for almost
any beef market, whilst the family Of
Gramma grasses have no superior AS a
winter feed; Of course the drouth has de-
preciated the values of land and cattle,
but these will revive, aud are bound to
come to the front.
Reporter-What about the new rail-
roads?
DIR. Sabin-If we were to Judge By
newspaper reports we would conclude
that there would be more miles OF rail
roads built in Texas during the coming
year than existed on the LIST Of January
last, but experience has shown that it is
easier to build roads on paper than on
the ground. The Fort Worth and Denver
is rapidly pushing forward to the north
west. The Southern Kansas that will
enter the state at Lipscombe is grading
quickly towards Ell PasO. This road, IL
is understood, lie the child OF the Atchi-
son, topeka and Santa Fe railroad. The
Omaha, Lincoln, Hartland and FL Paso
road, said to be the offspring Of the Rock
Island road, is making progress. Both
1t and the Southern Kansas road are due +,
according to promise, ut FL PasO in the
current year. OF the other numerous
prospects am not sufficiently familiar to
give you reliable information. That
many other roads will be built in Texas
at an early date there can be no doubt,
but whether all the roads in prospect
will materialize is a great problem.
RepOrter-ln what part OF Texas may
we look for the next "boom?"
DR.. Sabin-The Panhandle and West
ern Texas. The latter has gone through
the drouth without material injury
or loss Of population by removal
and many Of the older states, attracted
by our cheap lands and delightful Gil
mate, have been anxiOusly waiting for
the rains. The RAILROAD building OannO t
fail to create a boom that will be bene-
fetal. 1t is hoped that your Arkansas
Pass road will extend north and soon
make connection with the Texas Pacific
railroad at n convenient junction.
RepoTter-Wbat is now the condition
Of the Texas Pacific road?
DIR. Sabin-EXcellent. Under the
management OF the receivers. Generals
Brown and Sheldon, IL has been greatly
| improved. New ties have been placed,
new steel rails laid, and improvement
is the order OF the day. Its business,
though heretofore large, is rapidly IN
creasing.
Reporter-What is your opinion OF
| the population of western Texasp
DIR. Ssbin-It is thoroughly cosmO-
politan. There you meet men from every
state In the Union and from Europe.
Reporter-Is this cosmopolitan feature
| favorable to the future OF the south?
DIR. Sabin-Certainly; for by the influence
| and success, others will be drawn TO the sec
| ton, and the immigration comes from wide
district Of states. There are reasons to believe
| that large number of immigrants will arrive
| here this fall.
| RepOrter-what is your opinion as to the
success of the refrigerator movement?
DIR. Sabin-lts feasibility has been demon
| strate1 elsewhere, and see no reason why ID
] should not succeed I'm Texas. There's mil
/ lions in 1t" for the cattle interests. IL would
nearly double the values and prOntableuess
| of the cattle business, and give the peO-
pie better and cheaper meat. am astOnshcd
that San Antonio has not moved in this matter
| before. Her position is favorable and cattle
/ is not only abundant, but, at this time, very
| cheap. The establishment of this enterprise
/ means tan yards, tin shops, glue factories
| stock yards, etc, and, most of all, home mar.
ket for the cattle. | think one error has re
i strained the movement, that is, desire %
/ start too large business at first and an un
WILLINGNESS on the part OF the men whose